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Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    16 Apr 2026

    Coastal Slope Stability Assessment

    Geoff Davis has recently been in his element, carrying a slope stability assessment for a holiday park that has recently seen some quite dramatic ground movements.One thing that this project has highlighted is that for all the new technologies that are available to help us understand the ground, including LiDAR, drone surveys, remote sensing and inclinometers, all of which we intend to use on this site, they are of little use if the ground model is not understood. And this understanding of geology and geomorphology only come from a combination of education and experience.It is hoped that our understanding of the landslide processes at this complex site will allow us to predict possible future behaviour and assist in developing a long-term strategy for the future of the holiday park and its management.

    Coastal Slope Stability Assessment
    Coastal Slope Stability Assessment

  • Recent projects

    Deep Bore Soakaway Testing, Devon

    A combination of in-situ constant and variable (falling) and constant head testing was undertaken to provide information for the design of a number of deep-bore soakaway drains at a residential development site in Torbay. Deep-bore soakaway drains had previously been recommended by Ruddlesden geotechnical following observations made during conventional soakaway testing in accordance with BRE DG 365. Previous geotechnical investigation and near-surface geophysics, undertaken as part of a solution feature investigation, had indicated that the use of conventional shallow soakaway drainscould lead to the wash-out of near surface soils through underlying cavernous limestone, potentially leading to an increased long-term subsidence risk of the ground. Rotary open-hole boreholes were undertaken to form the deep bore soakaway at depths specified by the consulting engineers, based on information provided by Ruddlesden geotechnical from an earlier phase of geotechnical investigation, which included a period of groundwater monitoring. Additional in-situ constant head permeability testing was also undertaken following the installation of the deep bore soakaways to verify the design parameters and to confirm the performance of the deep bore soakaways. All testing was undertaken in accordance with BS EN ISO 22282-2:2012.

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  • Recent projects

    Solution Feature Investigation, Brixham

    A solution feature investigation and assessment was undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical at the site of a proposed residential development in Brixham. The consulting engineer had recommended Ruddlesden, having prior experience with solution features (caves) beneath another residential development site within the area. Based on the findings of the Phase 1 geotechnical assessment, the site was considered to be at high risk of being underlain by solution features that could affect the proposed development. A geotechnical investigation, comprising a combination of open-hole rotary ‘probes’ and cored boreholes, was undertaken. The boreholes were targeted on the corners of the proposed plots. The investigation indicated that one of the plots was underlain by a substantial cave (up to 5m high), at a depth of less than 10m below existing ground level. The cave appeared to be filled with sediment and the overlying rock had dilated and partially collapsed into the cave as a result of its presence. Nevertheless, following a detailed assessment of the ground conditions encountered, it was considered that there was a sufficient thickness of competent limestone present to bridge the cave and that a reinforced concrete ground beam would be able to support the proposed property (even in the event of ground subsidence) and that there was no requirement for infilling of the solution feature or piling the foundations to competent rock beneath the cave.

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